The motoring world loves SUVs and nearly all vehicle manufacturers in the last decade or so are having not one but a few SUV offerings in their lineup as consumers love them.
The increased desire also comes from the notion that driving a SUV is safer and its more stable because it is large and with bigger tyres. Well, we are here to correct that mis-conception.
In recent years we have seen many SUV’s end up on their roof ….. turn turtle ……. and we want to share some information with you on this.
Their design, combined with aggressive driving, excessive steering input, or hitting obstacles (like dividers or road shoulders), makes them significantly more prone to flipping over than lower-profile sedans like a Honda Civic or Mazda3.
SUVs are indeed big and heavy, but their propensity to “turn turtle” (roll over) is primarily due to the physics of having a high centre of gravity, which is a common design characteristic. While their weight and size often provide slightly better protection in head-on collisions, they are inherently less stable during, sharp ‘U’ turns (like what happened in this picture below), or sudden evasive manoeuvres compared to lower-profile cars.
Here is a breakdown of why SUVs are prone to turning turtle:
Because SUVs sit higher off the ground, their balance point is higher. When turning sharply or swerving, the weight shifts upward and outward, which can cause the vehicle to tip-over.
Approximately 95% of rollovers are “tripped,” meaning the vehicle strikes an obstacle such as a curb, guardrail, ditch, or road shoulder that causes the tires to dig in and the vehicle to flip.
Some SUVs have a narrow track width relative to their height, further reducing their stability.
A heavy SUV, especially one carrying cargo on the roof (like a Thule luggage box), becomes even more top-heavy, increasing the likelihood of a rollover.
Speeding in an SUV makes it harder to control, and aggressive steering to avoid an obstacle (overcorrection) can trigger a roll (like in the below shared picture).
Modern Safety Improvements
While older SUVs were highly susceptible to rollovers, most modern models are equipped with Electronic Stability Control (ESC). This system detects when a vehicle is losing control and automatically applies braking to individual wheels to prevent the vehicle from tipping.
Safety Tips for SUV Drivers
Avoid sudden, sharp steering manoeuvres at high speeds.
Reduce speed on sharp curves or highway exit/entry ramps.
Check tire pressure regularly, as under-inflated tires can contribute to roll-overs/turning turtle.
